RAWALPINDI, May 14: The Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) is facing shortage of about 26 million gallon per day (mgd) of water, which is likely to increase if the current dry spell continues, Dawn has learnt.

At present, the RCB receives only about nine mgd of water — four mgd from Khanpur Dam, 4.5 mgd from tubewells and 0.5 mgd from Rawal Lake — against its total requirement of 35 mgd.

In case there is further delay in rains, water level in Khanpur Dam will go down, resulting in reduced water supply to the cantonment. Besides, it will also start a draw down in the 76 RCB tubewells.

According to sources in the board, about 54 localities in the cantonment’s jurisdiction do not receive water from the civic body. The residents of these areas make their own arrangements for water. Some have dug up their own wells inside their houses, whereas others bring water from far-off places.

Apart from this, about 16 other areas are also facing water shortage and water is supplied there through RCB tankers. The civic body has engaged eight tankers that make about 62 trips to these areas to supply water to the people. However, the shortage is far more acute to be met through bowser supply.

The areas facing water scarcity include Tahli Mori, Dheri Hassanabad, Naseerababad Bukra, Azizabad, Hazara Colony, Kamalabad, Shah Faisal Colony, Ahmadabad, Ashraf Colony, Dhoke Gujjaran, Gulshan-i- Zaheer Colony, R.A. Bazaar.